Our Manifestos

Don't Full Stop Me

Recently, I’ve been involved with some research studies about how teenagers communicate through digital media. It’s been really interesting to see and hear first hand how the much-fabled digital natives – or in this case mobile natives – manage their burgeoning social lives. As is always the case with technology-led behavior change, there’s much that isn’t new. For instance, the intensity of feeling that occurs as young individuals test out their sense of self and peer-skills - as they always have. However, the tiny behavioural aspects on which the groups are focused can be bewildering. This was illustrated by the power of punctuation within text-based chat on FB Messenger, Whatsapp or Snapchat. For one group I spoke to there was no greater social affront than to be ‘full-stopped’. This merely meant the addition of a full-stop when answering someone in chat mode; but is viewed as the equivalent of turning around and walking away when in a physical conversation. The other notable aspect of such social circles is the multi-channel nature of the group dynamic, where individuals are communicating, goading, joking and gossiping simultaneously across three or four different image sites and chat services. This means that should the dreaded full-stopping ever occur its chilling effect is quickly amplified through and beyond those involved.